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Matthew Suckling joined the Western Bulldogs as an unrestricted free-agent at during the 2015 AFL Trade Period.

Suckling was recruited from the Hawthorn Football Club, in which he was a member of their 2014 and 2015 AFL Premiership sides.

With an elite left foot kick, Suckling a medium defender and outside midfielder, is known for his elite kicking ability and work rate.

Suckling played 102 games for Hawthorn between 2009 and 2015, after initially being rookie listed by the Hawks with pick 22 overall in the 2007 AFL Rookie Draft

Suckling played 17 games in his first season at the Kennel.

Season

Season By Season

Season in short

The 2017 season proved to be consistent one for defender, Matthew Suckling.

After a troublesome achilles hindered the second half of 2016, the 29-year-old was injury-free and was one of only six players to play all 22 matches.

In his ninth season of AFL, Suckling provided his side with his trademark booming left-foot and run off half back.

In round 4 against North Melbourne he kicked 2 goals and collected 26 possessions, while in round 22 he kicked a memorable goal from outside 50 against Port Adelaide at Mars Stadium in Balllarat.

The stat that mattered:

Suckling averaged 20.8 disposals in 2017 with an efficiency of 77.5%.

What they said:

“It was disappointing to miss the finals off the back of what we built last year.

“Personally to play every game, after what was a frustrating year body-wise last season was nice.

“I was trying to get my speed back into my game especially after my achilles last year which was hampering my pre-season. The second half of the year I thought I was able to bring that out again.”

- Matthew Suckling, September 2017.

Season By Season

Season in short:

Matthew Suckling impressed in his first year at Victoria University Whitten Oval after crossing from Hawthorn in late 2015, although a troublesome achilles would hinder the second half of his season.

The former Hawk burst out of the gates in his new colours, averaging 23 disposals and seven marks per game between rounds 1-4, before knee and ankle injuries suffered in the round five win over the Lions at Etihad Stadium would see him miss a month of football.

Suckling returned to face Collingwood in round 10 and picked up where he left off, submitting arguably two of his best games of the season over the next three weeks; a 28 disposal seven mark outing against the Eagles and a 26 touch, nine mark performance against Geelong.

But it would be the story of the 28-year old’s season; a solid patch of football before an injury setback.

Suckling would not play again after the semi-final win over Hawthorn.

The stat that mattered:

Suckling averaged career highs in disposal efficiency (79.5%), average intercept possessions per game (3.5) and ranked fifth at the Club in average metres gained per contest.

What they said.

“My season was a bit up and down.

“I thought I started really well, then I missed a month with injury.

"After that it’s been a bit hot and cold, and it was probably mainly due to the achilles. Since about round 14 it’s been a real battle, but I’ve loved every minute so far here and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”